Unboxing Beautiful Swiss Straight-Pull Rifles | Surplus & Antiques

Intro and Swiss Surplus Overview

Josh brings out a crate that turns out to be full of Swiss straight-pull rifles, immediately recognized as a hard-to-find surplus batch. Matt introduces the discussion as a look at Swiss surplus rifles, noting that they have had similar shipments before and that these rifles are well known to many enthusiasts. The focus is on how enjoyable it is whenever a new batch arrives, largely because of the consistently strong condition and the appeal of surplus firearms in general. On top of the mixed crate sit K31 carbines, described as the standout examples among Swiss surplus rifles. Matt explains that the crate is mixed, with different Swiss models underneath, and the plan is to dig through and show a range of conditions and features across the rifles.

K31 Condition, Stocks, and Snow Use

The first K31 pulled from the crate shows very clean metal and an impressively intact finish, with only minor wear. Attention turns to the stocks, which often show more wear at the butt. Matt explains that Swiss rifles were frequently stood upright in snow, and the lower portion of the stock naturally picked up dings and wear from that use. He points out the stacking hardware used to form a teepee of rifles in the snow. Overall, the wood on this example is described as gorgeous, with just a few nicks and dings, while the metal and bluing remain strong. The rifles feature the distinctive Swiss shield on the receiver, and some arrive with original slings still attached, adding to their interest as surplus pieces.

Straight-Pull Action, Magazines, and Safety

As more K31s come out of the crate, Matt notes that some rifles have protective snow caps over the muzzle while others do not. He highlights that the K31 is widely respected for its shooting performance, mentioning previous range use at roughly 450 yards with iron sights. The rifles are chambered in 7.5x55 Swiss, described as a very capable cartridge that pairs well with the platform. The K31 uses a detachable magazine, released by a lever on the magazine body rather than a typical receiver-mounted button. The straight-pull action is demonstrated conceptually: the bolt is pulled straight back and pushed straight forward without rotation. A ring at the rear of the bolt can be used to decock the rifle and also functions as a safety, locking the action and disabling the trigger when engaged.

Competition Stickers and Sight Upgrades

One rifle shows remnants of a shooting sticker, leading into a discussion of Swiss regional shooting events and competitions that continue to this day. Many rifles bear stickers commemorating these matches, which are not random markings but indicators of the rifle’s participation in organized shooting festivals. Another rifle displays a distinctive front sight with an aperture-style element that would not have been part of the original military configuration. Matt explains that Switzerland developed various upgraded sights for marksmanship use, including diopter-style options seen on previous imports. These competition-oriented sights reflect the rifles’ long service in civilian shooting clubs. The hosts emphasize that each surplus rifle can carry unique visual cues such as stickers, sight upgrades, and small modifications that speak to its individual history in Swiss shooting culture.

Lower Layers, Wood Variations, and 7.5x55 Ammo

Pulling out more rifles, Matt shows examples with darker and lighter wood, noting personal preferences for blond or darker stocks. Some rifles have nearly flawless bluing, while others show more honest wear, especially at the butt where prolonged contact with snow and ground took its toll. He stresses that buyers may see rifles where 99 percent of the surfaces look very clean, but the buttstock can be noticeably rougher. The crate reveals multiple layers of K31s, more than initially expected, and Matt mentions that the overall shipment also includes 96/11 rifles and long 1911 rifles. Discussion turns to ammunition: 7.5x55 Swiss is still produced in Switzerland for shooting competitions and is also available from manufacturers like Prvi Partizan (PPU). These rifles are presented as fully usable range guns rather than just display pieces.

Second Crate and Converting a Modern Shooter

After working through several layers of K31s, Matt notes that this crate appears to be heavily weighted toward that model and decides to move to another crate for variety. The second crate includes rifles with more visible stickers and even a name tape on one stock, again tying them to specific shooters and events. Josh’s prior experience with these rifles has been through video games, where he associates them with scoped use. Matt suggests taking some of these rifles to the range for real-world shooting at a few hundred yards, similar to earlier outings with Jason. Josh is known for favoring modern platforms such as SCAR and MCX rifles, but Matt proposes that time on the range with these Swiss straight-pull rifles might broaden his preferences and show the appeal of older surplus designs.

Collectability, Historical Character, and Recent Match Rifles

As more rifles are examined, the hosts point out examples with especially attractive blond stocks and deep, even bluing, as well as rifles with multiple competition stickers. They discuss how surplus rifles differ from modern mass-produced firearms: two new rifles from the same modern maker may be nearly identical, but two Swiss surplus rifles can look and feel very different. Variations in wood color, grain, markings, dings, and stickers give each rifle a distinct story. Some stocks carry numerous match stickers from shooting festivals, with dates such as 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating very recent use in Swiss competitions. The conversation closes on the idea that these rifles can be collected for their historical and cultural value as well as used on the range, with each example reflecting decades of careful use and participation in organized marksmanship.